Here is a translation of the statement made by the Bishops Conference of France regarding this morning’s terrorist attack at the offices of local newspaper, Charlie Hebdo.
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The Bishops Conference of France expresses its profound grief and horror caused by the attack perpetrated at the headquarters of the Charlie Hebdo newspaper.
At present, there are 12 persons who were killed during an organized attack while several others are still between life and death.
The Church in France addresses her thoughts first to the families and relatives of the victims, faced with the horror and incomprehension of it. She also assures the Editorial Staff and team of Charlie Hebdo of her great sadness.
Such terror is obviously unspeakable. Nothing can justify such violence. Moreover, it touches the freedom of expression, an essential element of our society.
This society, constituted by diversities of all sorts, must work ceaselessly in the construction of peace and fellowship. Thus, the barbarity expressed in this killing wounds us all.
In this situation where anger can invade us, we must redouble more than ever our attention to the fragile fellowship and the peace that must always be consolidated.
Monsignor Olivier RIBADEAU DUMAS
Secretary General and Spokesman of the CEF
[Translation by ZENIT]
